This comic may not contain any actual aliens.

Situation Update

A few months ago I talked about how I was in a mental hospital for a while and that right after I got out there was a fire in the House I lived in.

Now, I’m still dealing with the insurance to be able to replace my stuff, but some nice readers stepped up and donated money. Thanks to this, I was able to get the essentials already, like a new bed and some clothes. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to afford anything, because right before all this happened, I spent all of my savings to purchase a Dell Canvas pen display. I didn’t even get to really use it yet with all that’s been going on. Luckily it did survive the fire, because it has no vents for cooling or anything, so none of that corrosive smoke was able to get into it. Good thing I didn’t get that Wacom with it’s vents and cooling fan eh?

A lot of you sent me nice messages, donations, and someone sent me some of his old computer parts to get me back up and running. Some people also offered to help with the comic in a collaborative manner.

I haven’t responded to almost any of you and I’m sorry.

I guess you guys can tell by now that I got some mental problems. Dealing with other people in any way is difficult for me. For example: I spent more than two months drafting up just the one letter to the insurance company, most of that time I was sitting there panicking about nothing. Ideally I’d just live in the woods all by myself somewhere, because I’m really starting to realize that I’m not made for living in a society… but that’s not very realistic. So, when I don’t respond to your messages, this is why. It’s not that I haven’t read them, it’s that communicating with people is just super stressful for me.

Anyway, I’ll probably be able to move into my apartment again in a few weeks, there’s still some gaping holes there from the removal of burnt pipes and insulation that need to be filled in, but other than that it’s just about moving stuff back in and refurnishing.

After that I’ll be able to tell you what I have in mind for continuing AHS.

11 Comments

Hey Drake, we all know life comes first before comics, and some of us have difficulty even with aspects of that – myself included! We’re still here, good to hear that you are too, thanks for letting us know.

This is absolutely uncanny – I visited right here a mere hour ago just trying to dig up some new sign of life, anything about how you’re doing… anyway, I’m so glad to hear from you! Regarding dealing with other people… yeah, I reckon I know that feeling and looking at it at my age I don’t think this sort of thing has any chance of ever getting any better. Doing it more never helped me any – one just tries to pay as little attention as possible to the panic during any unavoidable contact, and just plain avoids everything else. Soooo… thanks for the update, and yeah we’re still here, looking forward to whatever you have in store for us and AHS – and of course, always hoping to hear things are looking better for you…

It’s good to see that you’ve been able to make some progress on working your way back, and that folks have been able to step up to help. It’s hard to wrap my head around everything you’ve been going through, but for what it’s worth, I’m pulling for you and cheering you on. May the coming year move swiftly and cleanly in an improvement-ward direction.

The silly part of comunicating through written means is that, to offer no empty words but a companionable silence, one must actually SAY to be in companionable silence.
Kindly acept some, uh, companionable silence from this random stranger who happens to be a fan of yours.

Drake, You are not alone in your struggles with mental illness, I’m 64 and over the years it has become very difficult to deal with other folk. Of course the frequency and severity of any individuals struggles with anxiety can’t be compared to someone else’s, but I can say that what you have chosen to share resonates deeply with me.

As someone who is undergoing therapy myself, I feel for you. I’ve not been in the same situation as you, but I have a good idea of how bad it can be. Take your time. Live your life. I love your comic, but you are the top priority.